Meeting Details
- Date & Time: June 25, 2025, 5:15 PM
- Location: Vernal City Offices, 374 E Main, Vernal, UT 84078
- Chair: Robert Hall
- Present: Al Kettle, Jeremy Raymond, Terri Terrill, Robin O'Driscoll, Corey Auger, Robert Hall, Chris Gamble, Marcus Perry, Willis Lefevre
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Standing Business
1. Approval of Minutes (May 28, 2025):
o Motion: Chris Gamble
o Second: Al Kettle
o Result: Unanimously approved
2. Approval of May 2025 Expenditures:
o Total: $121,043.80
o Highlights:
Truck tires, turnouts, radio installations (800 MHz dual-band), Avalon landscaping
Repairs to Vernal Engine 6 alternator ($3,000-$4,000)
Equipment purchases in Lapoint and Naples (chainsaws, wildland gear)
o Motion: Robin O'Driscoll
o Second: Chris Gamble
o Result: Unanimously approved
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Monthly Reports
Station Activity
- Incidents reviewed for each department
- Jensen nearing completion of FF1 and FF2 classes
- Naples conducted station visits
- Fire inspections noted
- Wildfire season quieter than usual
Recruitment & Retention
- No significant updates
Financial Report
- Status:
o 41% of fiscal year complete
o Rainy day fund target: $2 million
o PTIF earning ~$8,000/month in interest
o Mineral lease received: $833,333.35 YTD
o Transportation revenue: $1.2 million
o Audit fieldwork noted (capital projects, radio purchases, escrow accounts)
- Observations:
o Naples truck escrow continues
o Tridell escrow account interest ~$40,000
o Revised budget column added
o Missing fire station asset entry to be added
Executive Director's Report (Jeremy Raymond)
- Insurance Premiums:
o Increased 5% (due to Tridell Station)
o Firefighter cancer bill may impact workers' comp premiums
- Fire Activity:
o Crews responded to France Canyon Fire
o No fire restrictions in place (yet)
o Duchesne County may consider restrictions soon
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Public Business
Approval of 2024 Audit
- Findings:
o New investment fund (Ladder Truck) not reported to state
o Treasurer's bond too low ($190,000); should be $300,000
- Response:
o Issues deemed minor and correctable
o Audit essential for completing county audit
Utah House Bill 48 (WUI Risk Assessment)
- Overview:
o New 2025 legislation targeting Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) risk
o Homeowners responsible for mitigating fire risk on their property
o Structures assessed and scored (1-10); >80,000 structures rated 7+
o Assessments begin January 2026; fees included in 2026 tax season
o Fire district and county may retain a portion of collected fees
- Concerns & Plans:
o Standardized assessment required (UWRAP)
o Education needed for homeowners
o Fire district may be overwhelmed with requests; waiting lists expected
o Grants (e.g., CATFIRE, NRCS) may help fund mitigation projects
o Coordination needed between state, counties, and municipalities
o Cities must adopt WUI codes to participate in programs
- Action Items:
o Create WUI maps, develop mitigation strategies
o Fire district may assume CWS responsibilities
o Public education campaign recommended
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Radio Purchase Request
- Proposal: Buy 3 Bendix King radios from Wildland Fire Capital Account
- Cost: $4,340.90 each
- Justification: Improved performance; supported by UCA
- Motion: Chris Gamble
- Second: Willis Lefevre
- Result: Unanimously approved
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Adjournment
- Motion: Al Kettle
- Second: Willis Lefevre
- Result: Unanimously approved
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Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations during this meeting should notify Jeremy Raymond, 152 E 100 N, Vernal, Utah 84078: 435-781-6756.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Please direct any questions or comments to: Jeremy Raymond, 152 E 100 N, Vernal, Utah 84078. 435-781-6756